Marine Ecosystems and Climate Variation

The North Atlantic: A Comparative Perspective

Description

This research level text focuses on the influence of climate variability on the marine ecosystems of the North Atlantic. The ecological impact of climate variability on population dynamics is addressed at the full range of trophic levels, from phytoplankton through zooplankton and fish to marine birds. Climate effects on biodiversity and community structure are also examined. 40 scientists from around the world synthesise what is currently known about how climate affects the ecological systems of the North Atlantic and then place these insights within a broader ecological perspective. Many of the general features of the North Atlantic region are also seen in other marine ecosystems as well as terrestrial and freshwater systems. The final section of the book makes
these generalities more explicit, so as to stimulate communication and promote co-operation amongst researchers who may previously have worked in semi-isolation.

The book comprises 5 main sections: background (general introduction, atmospheric and ocean climate of the North Atlantic, and modelling methodology), plankton populations (phytoplankton and zooplankton), fish and seabird populations, community ecology (phytoplankton, benthos and fish), and the final section consisting of six commentaries from scientists working in areas outside the North Atlantic marine sector. In order to enhance integration, a series of introductions link chapters and sections. Throughout the book, numerous examples highlight different aspects of ecology-climate interactions. They document recent
progress and illustrate the challenges of trying to understand ecological processes and patterns in the light of climate variations.

Marine Ecosystems and Climate Variation

The North Atlantic: A Comparative Perspective

Table of Contents

ForewordPrefaceI. Background to climate and response in marine ecology Introduction1. Climatic fluctuations and marine systems: a general introduction to the ecological effects, Ottersen, Stenseth & Hurrell2. Climate variability over the North Atlantic, Hurrell and Dickerson3. Modelling marine ecosystems and their environmental forcing, Werner, Aretxabaleta and PehrsonII. Plankton populations Introduction4. Phytoplankton, Smayda, Borkman, Beaugrand, Belgrano5. The influence of climate variability on North Atlantic zooplankton populations, Pershing, Greene, Planque and FromentinIII. Fish and seabird populations Introduction6. The response of fish populations to ocean climate fluctuations,
Ottersen, Alheit, Drinkwater, Friedland, Hagen and Stenseth7. Marine birds and climate fluctuation in the North Atlantic, Durant, Stenseth, Anker-Milssen, Harris, Thompson and WanlessIV. Community Ecology Introduction8. Community ecology of phytoplankton, Belgrano, Lima, Stenseth and Lindahl9. Benthic communities, Hagberg, Tunberg, Wieking, Kroncke, and Belgrano10. Climatic influence on marine fish community ecology, Lekve and StensethV. Viewing the climate-ecology interaction in the North Atlantic regions from outside Introduction11. Cimate and fisheries: an insight from the Pacific Ocean, Lehodey12. Complexity of marine fisheries dynamics in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, Bailey, Hollowed and Wooster13. A fresh (water)
perspective on NAO ecological impacts in the North Atlantic, Straile14. A freshwater perspective on climate variability and its effect on marine ecosystems, Hessen15. Time lags in terrestrial and marine environments, Post16. The impact of ENSO on terrestrial ecosystems: a comparison with NAO, Lima and JaksicVI: Conclusion -- what are the ecological effects of climate variation in the North Atlantic Afterword Index